Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Mira

(22,380 posts)
Sun Oct 5, 2014, 12:09 AM Oct 2014

Citizen's United. And a good thought about what might have spawned it.

There are no innocuous easy talk dinner parties at my house. Even when we're all on the same basic page about the periphery in life- eventually politics is on the table for discussion or argument.
So tonight I had a couple of female guests, Mother and daughter, 70 and 46. For the sake of the following it is pertinent they are black women, I'm a white immigrant.

We talked about the breaches of security, all the things connected with President Obama being at even greater risk of mayhem and threats than others, about Ebola and about the media and how we are manipulated into their prescribed channels of what is acceptable to be hyped just so that news that are way more urgent and powerful can be suppressed.

I made an off handed comment about Citizen's United and how that decision has damaged the country more in one fail swoop than any I could name and then the younger of my two guests said:

"Do you remember how Obama made tracks with the internet and gathering funds in 5 and 10 dollar increments, and how it helped him to gather money in ways that we had not ever seen before and at the time how it helped him win?"

Yeah, I said.

"Then, what do you think they figured would be the only and best thing they could do to counteract such a grass roots appeal to the people at large?"

And suddenly I saw it.
Do you agree ?

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Citizen's United. And a good thought about what might have spawned it. (Original Post) Mira Oct 2014 OP
It's part of the answer, I'm sure... First Speaker Oct 2014 #1
If the game of powers that be are threatened they simply JEB Oct 2014 #2
Actually, the Howard Dean campaign was first to implement small dollar jaysunb Oct 2014 #3
Difficult to say, because the advertisements/trailers Roselma Oct 2014 #4

jaysunb

(11,856 posts)
3. Actually, the Howard Dean campaign was first to implement small dollar
Sun Oct 5, 2014, 12:51 AM
Oct 2014

fund raising via the internet....the Obama campaign perfected it.

Roselma

(540 posts)
4. Difficult to say, because the advertisements/trailers
Sun Oct 5, 2014, 12:58 AM
Oct 2014

were to run in January 2008 and the Obama election machine hadn't revved up to the amazing numbers by then. How would the producers of the Hillary film have known that the Obama campaign was going to succeed like that? The primaries were just starting. Also, when you think of it, Obama WON because of the promise/commitment someone makes when they donate to a campaign. If you send in just $5, you then become vested in the successful outcome. You show up to vote. You suggest that your friends do to. Small donors are committed voters.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Citizen's United. And a g...